Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

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Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

October 16, 2016

Gospel: Lk 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared (1) God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary (2).’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.’” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

http://www.usccb.org

The difficult words

(1)In the Bible, to fear the Lord doesn't mean that we're afraid of him, but rather that we love him and do not want to displease him.(2)An adversary is an enemy.

This week’s spotlight

Sacred texts, Scripture, Gospels

The Bible is made up of seventy-three books. Their authors were so inspired by God that the books are truly the word of God, the sacred Scriptures. We believe that they contain everything we need to know in order to be saved. The four Gospels are the sacred texts that speak of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

The Liturgy of the Hours

All bishops, priests, deacons, and most consecrated religious promise to pray “the Liturgy of the Hours” each day. The Liturgy of the Hours is the official series of hymns, psalms, readings, and prayers recited throughout the world. The various prayers are gathered together in a book called a breviary. The various times of prayer throughout the day are meant to keep the whole day holy, and to remind us that God is more important than any of our work or other activities. Lay people are encouraged to join in this “prayer of the Church.”

Reflection

Don't give up!

Maybe sometimes you wonder: “Can you hear me, Lord?” Our faith tells us that God always hears. In the Gospel today, Jesus tells us to be persistent and loyal in our prayer. He knows that our Father listens to us when we speak to him. God is not like the judge who ignores the widow’s request. He loves us more than our best friends. So go ahead and tell him of your concerns, your needs, and your requests. But be patient and persistent! Deep within your heart, little by little, quietly, the Lord is helping you to grow, to understand, and to love... Don’t wait till you need him before speaking to him. He is calling you to a long-lasting friendship, a friendship that renews itself each day, a friendship that will last for ever.

Discussion questions

1. What is the story that Jesus tell his disciples?2. What kind of person is the judge in the story?3. Why does the widow ask the judge to help?4. Why does the judge finally decide to help the widow?5. What does Jesus teach his disciples about praying to God?6. When should you pray to God?7. How do you pray?8. Whom do you pray for?

Praying after Communion

After receiving Holy Communion, you can say thisprayer silently to yourself. If you have notyet received your First Communion, you canstill say thisprayer because of your desire to receive Jesus.

Father, through Jesus, in communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. You never give up on me, and always keep your promises. Help me to be a loyal friend to you, to those I love, and to all the people of the world.

This week…

How do you pray?

Have you ever stopped to think about how you pray? Do you ask for lots of things? Do you tell God you love him? Do you ever thank him?

Pray for others

Have you noticed that very often the things you ask for in prayer are mostly for you? This week, when you say your daily prayer ask for things for someone around you or for someone in the news who is suffering.